Roger Staffelbach
Encyclopedia
Roger Staffelbach was born on February 19, 1972 in Sursee
, Switzerland
. At the age of 7 he started learning to play the trumpet
, which he continued until he was 14. Having been a fan of rock
from an early age, he then turned to guitar
after hearing Yngwie Malmsteen's "Trilogy
". A year later, he started playing in bands.
In 1990, Staffelbach studied and took lessons at the Jazz School in Lucerne
. It was here that he met Vitalij Kuprij
, while Vitalij was playing piano in a bar in Staffelbach's hometown. 3 days later, Artension was formed, though under their former name, "Atlantis Rising". They played several gigs in Switzerland, and recorded two demos in 1993 and 1994. Staffelbach furthermore attended the G.I.T. in California
in 94/95, studying with greats like T.J. Helmerich and Tom Kolb. It was there that he met Mike Varney
of Shrapnel Records
, who showed interest in the band after hearing their demo.
Staffelbach has remained with Artension from the beginning, playing on all their records. Apart from Artension, Roger is taking part in several studio projects in the Swiss area.
Sursee
Sursee is a municipality in the district of Sursee in the canton of Lucerne, Switzerland. Sursee is located at the northern end of Lake Sempach, not far from where the Sure river enters the lake , hence the name "Sursee"....
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. At the age of 7 he started learning to play the trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
, which he continued until he was 14. Having been a fan of rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
from an early age, he then turned to guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
after hearing Yngwie Malmsteen's "Trilogy
Trilogy (Yngwie J. Malmsteen album)
Trilogy is the third studio album by guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen, released in 1986 through Polydor Records.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Yngwie Malmsteen – electric guitar, acoustic guitar, Moog Taurus, bass guitar, mixing, production...
". A year later, he started playing in bands.
In 1990, Staffelbach studied and took lessons at the Jazz School in Lucerne
Lucerne
Lucerne is a city in north-central Switzerland, in the German-speaking portion of that country. Lucerne is the capital of the Canton of Lucerne and the capital of the district of the same name. With a population of about 76,200 people, Lucerne is the most populous city in Central Switzerland, and...
. It was here that he met Vitalij Kuprij
Vitalij Kuprij
Vitalij Kuprij is a Ukrainian pianist, composer, music teacher, and keyboardist of the defunct neo-classical progressive metal band Artension. He resides in Reading, Pennsylvania when he is not touring.-Music career:...
, while Vitalij was playing piano in a bar in Staffelbach's hometown. 3 days later, Artension was formed, though under their former name, "Atlantis Rising". They played several gigs in Switzerland, and recorded two demos in 1993 and 1994. Staffelbach furthermore attended the G.I.T. in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in 94/95, studying with greats like T.J. Helmerich and Tom Kolb. It was there that he met Mike Varney
Mike Varney
Mike Varney is an American musician, record producer, music publisher and impresario. He is the founder of the Shrapnel Label Group, which includes Shrapnel Records, Tone Center Records and Blues Bureau International. He also has a 50% stake in Magna Carta Records, a New York-based label...
of Shrapnel Records
Shrapnel Records
Shrapnel Records is a guitar-oriented record label started in 1980 by record producer Mike Varney. Guitarist Marty Friedman , one of the label's most successful artists, first appeared on the album Unsung Guitar Heroes II in 1980 with the band Vixen. Vixen would later change their name to Hawaii...
, who showed interest in the band after hearing their demo.
Staffelbach has remained with Artension from the beginning, playing on all their records. Apart from Artension, Roger is taking part in several studio projects in the Swiss area.